“Envisioning Berlin’s Smart City Future: The Conscious City Lab”
In the imminent age of the Smart City, where self-driving cars, sensor-equipped trash bins, and app-based parking assistance herald a new era, Berlin is poised to embrace this transformative vision. Over the coming years, the city aims to harness cutting-edge technologies for sustainable urban planning, positioning itself as a pioneer in the realm of Smart Cities.
The Conscious City Lab, housed within a striking ten-meter-high structure constructed from stainless steel tubing (provided by System 180), serves as the epicenter of this visionary endeavor. At its center lies an interactive table adorned with playing cards representing various facets of the Smart City, augmenting the experience with additional visual content. This playful approach not only enhances understanding and interdisciplinary communication but also fosters collaborative brainstorming sessions among experts, citizens, and stakeholders from politics, industry, and academia.
Constructed from just three types of tubing, its assembly and disassembly are so straightforward that even students can partake after brief instruction. Furthermore, its modular design allows for easy adaptation to local conditions, ensuring versatility in deployment.
Originally unveiled during the Long Night of Sciences in 2014, the BrainBox has since expanded in scale, evolving into a dynamic platform for innovation and collaboration.
As a bastion of interdisciplinary research, TU Berlin has long been at the forefront of Smart City innovation. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of various disciplines, the university is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities inherent in shaping Berlin’s Smart City future. With its breadth of expertise, TU Berlin stands ready to serve as a steadfast scientific partner in the realization of Berlin’s Smart City aspirations.
Architect Dietmar Köring spearheaded the design, construction, and realization of the project, supported by a team of engineers, scientists, and students. The voluntary assistance of these individuals and especially System 180 was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Without their dedication, the project would not have been possible.
